Mac mini update imminent - Mid 2014

[Eug]

It's about time. It's been nearly two years now since the Mac mini was last updated.

http://9to5mac.com/2014/07/29/mac-m...e-could-indicate-product-refresh-coming-soon/

I'm thinking the update will be minor, with a few CPU speed bumps and storage updates (incl. Fusion and SSD options for the base model), but will include 8 GB RAM base. Also 802.11ac and maybe Thunderbolt 2.

 

[jaydee]

It's about time. It's been nearly two years now since the Mac mini was last updated.

http://9to5mac.com/2014/07/29/mac-m...e-could-indicate-product-refresh-coming-soon/

I'm thinking the update will be minor, with a few CPU speed bumps and storage updates (incl. Fusion and SSD options for the base model), but will include 8 GB RAM base. Also 802.11ac and maybe Thunderbolt 2.

Well if it goes to Thunderbolt 2, I'm pretty sure that would mean Haswell as well. I think Apple is going to be careful about it not competing too much with the higher profit iMac (the 21.5" screen isn't that special...). I doubt it goes to Fusion or SSD in the base model for that reason. At least if it's the same form factor, the RAM and HD will be upgradable, making it fairly appealing to the tech community. The key will be whether its Haswell or not.

 

[Essence_of_War]

I'm thinking the update will be minor, with a few CPU speed bumps and storage updates (incl. Fusion and SSD options for the base model), but will include 8 GB RAM base.

Really? The mac mini is still on ivy bridge, so updating it to haswell will be more than a CPU speed bump, wouldn't it?

 

[Eug]

Noted. Yes, I guess calling it a "speed bump" is misleading.

I guess the better way to word it is I'm not expecting some sort of revolutionary change, but a specs upgrade for faster performance. (Better CPU, better drive options, better GPU, more RAM.)

 

[Eug]

iMac will also be updated.

http://www.macplus.net/depeche-80594-bientot-un-nouvel-imac-27

 

[Essence_of_War]

I guess the better way to word it is I'm not expecting some sort of revolutionary change, but a specs upgrade for faster performance. (Better CPU, better drive options, better GPU, more RAM.)

That's fair, my suspicion is that there won't be any kind of crazy form factor change either.

At least one CPU option with Iris Pro would be pretty sexy.

 

[Childs]

I have a late 2012 (6,2), and it still does everything I need it to do, but I might demote it to a dedicated server and get the one for 4k support. Hopefully they will just add thunderbolt 2 and updated graphics, and still let you upgrade the ram and hard drive on your own.

 

[Tegeril]

HD5000-class video would be a nice improvement.

 

[mmntech]

I have a late 2012 (6,2), and it still does everything I need it to do, but I might demote it to a dedicated server and get the one for 4k support. Hopefully they will just add thunderbolt 2 and updated graphics, and still let you upgrade the ram and hard drive on your own.

Five will get you ten you won't be able to upgrade the ram on your own. They've been going the soldered route for awhile now. Probably will switch to the same proprietary SSDs used in the MacBooks as well.

My prediction:
-No form factor change, or possibly slightly slimmer version of same design
-Dual core "Haswell-UTL" i5-4258U 2.4ghz (2.9ghz Turbo) with Iris 5100 GPU
-Quad Core "Haswell-H" i7-4850HQ 2.3ghz (3.5ghz Turbo) with Iris 5200 GPU
-Thunderbolt 2
-Soldered, non-upgradable RAM with 8GB base and 16GB top end
-128GB SSD for both models with option to upgrade to 256GB